Automative air conditioning flush system

ABSTRACT

A flush system for flushing an air conditioning system comprising: a flush fill tank; an input connector which connects to the flush fill tank; a recycle catch tank; an output connector which connects to the catch tank via a filter; an air pressure connection, where the air pressure connection supplies air pressure to the flush fill tank and provides air pressure to flush the air conditioning system; and a water separator between the air connection and flush fill tank. The flush system may further include an air valve and an air regulator connection at the air pressure connection, where the valve and regulator provide a means to control air pressure in the flush system. The flush system may also include a first hose connected between the input connector and an evaporator or condenser of the air conditioning system; and a second hose connected between the output connector and an evaporator or condenser of the air conditioning system.

CROSS REFERENCE TO OTHER APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation in part to U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/541,911 filed on Nov. 14, 2014.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a flush system used to flush anautomotive air conditioning system.

2. Description of Related Art

The typical air conditioning system of a vehicle utilizes a refrigerantthat must be occasionally be flushed to remove contaminants andimpurities due to use over a period of time. Flushing the system isrequired due to the contaminants and impurities that build up over aperiod of time within the refrigerant and there is the need to flushthis refrigerant to prevent the failure of the air conditioning system.Filters are provided on a typical air conditioning system and some typeof cleaning cycle is needed to allow for the filtering and cleaning ofthe refrigerant. However at some point it is necessary in each airconditioning system to flush the refrigerant and flush the entire systemto remove debris, impurities and contaminants from within the system.One example of a flushing system for refrigeration system components isdisclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 2006/0234896 which discloses amethod and apparatus of cleaning a component of an air conditioning orrefrigeration system which provides for flushing liquid solvent throughthe components to remove contamination from the components by vaporizingthe solvent, flushing through the components and thus a removal of thecontamination from the vaporized solvent.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide anall-in-one flushing system that includes a supply valve, air regulatorand water separator therefore capable of providing a quick and efficientmeans to flush an air conditioning system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a flush system for flushing an airconditioning system comprising: a flush fill tank; an input connectorwhich connects to the flush fill tank; a recycle catch tank; an outputconnector which connects to the catch tank via a filter; an air pressureconnection, where the air pressure connection supplies air pressure tothe flush fill tank and provides air pressure to flush the airconditioning system; and a water separator between the air connectionand flush fill tank. The flush system may further include an air valveand an air regulator connection at the air pressure connection, wherethe valve and regulator provide a means to control air pressure in theflush system. The flush system may also include a first hose connectedbetween the input connector and an evaporator or condenser of the airconditioning system; and a second hose connected between the outputconnector and an evaporator or condenser of the air conditioning system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a flush system in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 1A depicts a hose used in conjunction with the flush systemaccording to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a flushing system that is utilized toflush an automotive air conditioning system. The flushing systemaccording to the present invention provides the means to removecontamination that may exist within the air conditioning system andtherefore prevent the optimum operation of the system. The flushingsystem according to the present invention may be connected to anevaporator or a condenser via a connection means into a 2-gallon catchtank for subsequent use. Once connected to the system the flush providessufficient air pressure to push the flush through the flush system andtherefore remove contaminants or other debris that may be within the airconditioning system.

In reference to FIG. 1, a flush system 100 according to the presentinvention is depicted. The flush system 100 according to presentinvention provides various components used in conjunction to achieve theflushing of an air conditioning system. The flushing system 100 includesa flush fill tank 122 used in conjunction with a recycle catch tank 146.Input connector 128 and output connector 132 are provided at a topenclosure 104 of the flush system 100. A hose 180, as shown in FIG. 1A,is used in conjunction with the flush system 100 to flush the airconditioning unit of a vehicle.

Further components of the flush system 100 include an air hose connector112 that extends from one side of the flush system 100. The air hoseconnector 112 extends from an outer tubing 108 that connects with innertubing 110 leading past a water separator 118 then connecting into theflush fill tank 122. The flush fill tank 122 is contained within a tankenclosure 120 that has input tubing 124 leading from the tank 122. Alsoincluded with the air hose connector 112 are an air valve 114 and an airregulator 116 that are shown on the outer tubing 108. The air valve 114and air regulator 116 provide the means to control air pressure directedinto the flush fill tank 122. The flush fill tank 122 and tank enclosureat 120 are within a bottom enclosure 102 of the flush system 100. Aconnector tubing 126 leads to the input connector 128 of the flushsystem 120. The input connector 128 receives a male connector 184 shownon hose 180 in FIG. 1A. The female connector 186 of the hose 180connects to any adapter on the condenser or evaporator of the airconditioning unit. Between the male connector 184 and female connector186 is hose tubing 182.

The flush system 100 further includes an output connector 132, whichleads to a filter 138 via the connector tubing 134. The filter 138connects through an output tube 142 to the recycle catch tank 146. Asplash sock 148 is provided within the recycle catch tank 146 thatprovides an entry into the catch tank 146. The catch tank 146 furtherincludes a cleanup 154 at the bottom portion thereof. A refill drain 152extends outwardly from the catch tank 146 and protrudes from the bottomenclosure 102 as shown in FIG. 1. A vent 144 is also provided thatextends from the catch tank 146 for venting the tank 146 and a gauge 136provided for the catch tank 146, where the gauge 136 monitors the fluidlevel in the catch tank 146.

The flush system 100 is utilized to flush the air conditioning system ofa vehicle. During use as stated above the male connector 184 isconnected to the input connector 128 of the flush system 100. The femaleconnector 186 is connected to either the condenser or evaporator of theair conditioning unit and either the input or output of either device.Any connector hoses that are connected to the evaporator or condenserare removed and disconnected prior to the installation of the flushsystem 100 onto the air conditioning unit. The output connector 132 isconnected to the respective condenser or evaporator that is being usedto flush the air conditioning unit. Air pressure is provided through theair hose connector 112 and during use the pressure may be set using theair pressure regulator 116 to about 50 PSI. The flush tank 122 is filledwith the appropriate solvent for flushing the air conditioning unit. Thesolvent is put into the flush tank 122 via the pressure fill cap 130provided at the top closure 104 of the flush system 100. Once the airinput is connected and set at appropriate pressure along with the inputof the solvent in the flush tank 122, the air valve 114 is moved toallow 50 PSI of air to push the flush up the pickup tube or input tube126 into the condenser inside and flush will come out of the condenseroutside to the output connector 132. The flush enters through the outputconnector 132 after it passes through the filter 138 where the filter138 helps to filter out the contaminants within the system. After theflushing is complete the flush is drained into the recycled catch tank146 where there is a refill drain 152 provided to drain the tank 146 forrefilling. After the flushing of the air conditioning unit is completed60 PSI of air pressure is blown through the system to make sure that allthe flush solvent is out of the system.

The flush system 100 according to the present invention is utilized toflush and clean an existing air conditioning unit of a motor vehicle. Ahandle 106 is provided at the top of the flush system 100 to maneuverthe flush system into position for use on any motor vehicle airconditioning unit. During use this system provides an efficient andeffective means to flush any existing motor vehicle air conditioningunit. The instant invention has been shown and described in what itconsiders to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It isrecognized, however, that departures may be made there from within thescope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to aperson skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A flush system for flushing an air conditioningsystem comprising: a. a flush fill tank; b. an input connector whichconnects to the flush fill tank; c. a recycle catch tank, where therecycle catch tank includes a splash sock that provides an entry intothe recycle catch tank and said recycle catch tank includes a cleanup atthe bottom portion thereof; d. an output connector which connects to thecatch tank via a filter; e. a vent, where the vent extends from thecatch tank and vents the catch tank; f. an air pressure connection,where the air pressure connections supplies air pressure to the flushfill tank and provides air pressure to flush the air conditioningsystem; and g. a water separator between the air connection and flushfill tank; h. a bottom enclosure, where the bottom enclosure houses theflush fill tank and recycle catch tank; i. a refill drain extendsoutwardly from the catch tank and protrudes from the bottom enclosure;and j. a top enclosure, where the top enclosure includes the inputconnector and output connector.
 2. The flush system according to claim1, further including an air valve and an air regulator connection at theair pressure connection where the valve and regulator provide a means tocontrol air pressure in the flush system.
 3. The flush system accordingto claim 1, further including a first hose connected between the inputconnector and an evaporator or condenser of the air conditioning system;and a second hose connected between the output connector and anevaporator or condenser of the air conditioning system.
 4. The flushsystem according to claim 1, further including a bottom enclosure, wherethe bottom enclosure houses the flush fill tank and recycle catch tank;a refill drain extends outwardly from the catch tank and protrudes fromthe bottom enclosure; and a top enclosure, where the top enclosureincludes the input connector and output connector.
 5. The flush systemaccording to claim 4, further including a gauge, where the gaugemonitors the fluid level in the catch tank.
 6. The flush systemaccording to claim 4, where the top enclosure further includes apressure fill cap.